Is it normal to feel lonely even when I'm around people all the time?

Yes, it's more common than it might seem. Loneliness isn't only about how many people are around you. It's about whether you feel seen and understood by them.

You can spend the whole day with others and still feel alone if the conversations stay on the surface, or if you feel you have to keep parts of yourself hidden. That gap between the connection you have and the connection you want is what loneliness often feels like.

A few things that can help: notice which people you feel most like yourself with, and spend a little more time there. Try sharing one small, real thing about how you're doing. And remember that feeling lonely doesn't mean something is wrong with you. It's a signal that you need a different kind of connection.

If loneliness has been heavy for a long time, or it comes with feeling hopeless, talking to a professional can really help.